The Music Program at Saint Mary’s College offers scholarships to incoming first-year students. Music scholarships are merit-based for demonstrated artistic excellence.

For those musicians considering applying, St. Mary's College will offer one complimentary voice or instrument lesson prior to your audition. Contact Music Director Dr. Julie Ford to arrange.

How to Prepare for the Audition:

Instrumentalists

Non-pianists should prepare 2-3 pieces or excerpts showing a variety of tempi and your ability with rapid and lyrical musical passages. The excerpts can be from any source, including something you’ve played in high school band or orchestra. You will be asked to play some major and minor scales.

Pianists should play two pieces or movements, preferably by memory, from two contrasting historical periods.

If you perform jazz, we suggest you bring a recording of a rhythm section over which you improvise a solo. You will also be asked to play some major and minor scales.

You will be asked to sight-read, but remember the process is meant to be non-threatening – we simply want to understand the breadth and depth of your musicianship skills. Instrumentalists will be asked to read a short excerpt appropriate for their instrument and ability. Remember it is preferable to play under-tempo accurately than at tempo with numerous errors.

Interview with faculty. See below.*

Vocalists

Sing two songs, preferably from memory, selected from two of the groups listed below. An accompanist will be provided.A. An Italian art song or ariaB. A French, German or English art songC. A song of your own choosing

Vocalists will be asked to clap or tap a line of rhythmic notation, sight-read either single line notation or your part from a SATB chorale by Bach, and listen and sing back short melodic fragments.